Caring for your teeth with anxiety or depression

Signs of anxiety and depression

It’s normal to feel anxious or low from time to time. But if you experience symptoms regularly or for long periods of time, it can impact your ability to do things.

Symptoms of anxiety can include:

• a fast heartbeat
• racing thoughts
• sweating or shaking
• stomach ache or feeling sick
• fidgeting

Some people with anxiety may also have panic attacks.

Signs of depression include:

• feeling sad, irritable or angry
• losing interest in things you normally enjoy
• lack of energy
• reduced concentration
• moving or talking slowly

 

Mental health and your teeth

Research suggests that people with mental health problems can suffer with poor oral health. If you’re feeling low or anxious you might find it harder to get out of bed or follow a routine. This can affect daily tasks such as brushing your teeth or flossing. Not caring for your teeth properly can lead to complications such as gum disease and tooth decay.

Sometimes anxiety or depression might make it harder to leave your house and attend appointments. Missed dental check-ups can lead to poor oral health over time, as dental problems may go unnoticed, and you may not receive the treatment you need.

This may be especially true if you suffer from dental anxiety. Dental anxiety is a strong feeling of distress associated with going to the dentist. People with dental anxiety often avoid seeking dental treatment, or won’t attend regular check-ups. This can seriously impact dental health.

Some medications used to treat anxiety or depression, such as antidepressants, can also affect oral health by causing dry mouth. Saliva plays a key role in protecting teeth and gums. So reduced saliva flow can increase the risk of tooth decay.

Tips to look after your teeth

1. Break it down

If brushing twice a day feels overwhelming, focus on brushing once before bed with a fluoride toothpaste. It’s recommended to brush twice a day and floss daily. But focus on what you can manage. Try to brush your teeth when you do have some energy.

 

2. Manage anxiety and depression

Managing any symptoms of anxiety and depression may help you get a better dental care routine. Speak with your doctor if you need help. They may recommend treatment such as talking therapy, or medication such as antidepressants. If you have dental anxiety specifically, talking therapy such as cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) can be helpful. CBT aims to change your thoughts and behaviour to help manage anxiety.

 

3. Remove triggers

If brushing in bright light or standing in front of the mirror is stressful for you, try and change the environment you brush in. You could sit down in a quieter space while you brush, or play some relaxing music at the same time.

 

4. Use an electric toothbrush

Switching to an electric toothbrush can take less energy than brushing manually, as the toothbrush can do most of the work for you. Electric toothbrushes are often recommended by dentists to make brushing your teeth easier and improve plaque removal.

 

If you’re worried about going to the dentist, let your dentist know about how you’re feeling. They can help to reassure you or make adjustments to make the appointment easier.